10-Day Ireland Itinerary – Northern Ireland + Republic of Ireland

Ireland is an incredibly diverse and magical place to visit. The island, divided into Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland, is filled with dramatic natural landscapes, ancient ruins, magnificent cities and sprawling coastlines. Spend time in the eastern regions to explore more than 5000 years of history. Visit its cities to try some of the most incredible dishes, and soak up the local atmosphere. Admire its coastlines to see the drama of the ocean and sea. Taking the time to explore Northern Ireland or The Republic of Ireland on a 10 day itinerary is a great way to see some of the best both countries have to offer. Both of our itineraries include incredible cities, beautiful natural scenery and of course some of the best restaurants around. Here is how you could spend 10 days in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland Itinerary Options

Ireland Itinerary Tips

Best way to get around

Regardless of whether you are taking a trip around Northern Ireland or The Republic of Ireland, hiring a car opens up more of the countries to you.

Public transport in both Northern Ireland and Ireland is excellent, however some of the further reaches of the country will be trickier to visit.

Hiring a car also gives you more flexibility, allowing you to change your plans should you decide last minute.

Currency

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, and uses GBP like the rest of the country.

The Republic of Ireland however is not part of the United Kingdom and is an independent country.

It uses the euro.

Both countries widely accept card transactions, however be mindful of which currency you are using if you are trying to pay in cash.

10-Day Northern Ireland Itinerary

Day 1 and 2 – Belfast

Begin your time in Northern Ireland by exploring its capital city, Belfast.

Belfast is a great way to begin your Northern Ireland itinerary as it is packed with history, great food and friendly locals.

Visit the iconic Titanic Belfast, an interactive exhibition in what has fast become a landmark building.

The museum is beside the Titanic Slipways where the Titanic was designed, built and launched from in 1911.

Continue your foray into the city’s history by experiencing the outdoor Ulster Folk Museum which is filled with buildings, attractions and costumed guides recreating a Belfast from 100 years ago.

Round off your afternoon at the tranquil Botanic Gardens and Tropical Ravine.

Charles McKimm designed the palm house in 1889, and today it remains filled with beautiful tropical plants and flowers, with pleasant walkways between the greenery.

There are plenty of options for dinner in Belfast, with the city being famous for its seafood thanks to its coastal location.

One of the best restaurants in the city is the Muddlers Club, named a after a secret society, and serving up a delicious five-course tasting menu, dishes for vegetarians and vegans, and a varied menu featuring fish of the day.

Spend your second day in Belfast with a quaint breakfast at The Lamppost Cafe, a cafe inspired by CS Lewis’ tales of Narnia.

Take to St George’s Market if you still have room after breakfast.

The market is the oldest in the city and sells fresh produce, delicious baked goods and ready-to-eat dishes.

Spend some time shopping around the city before having a bite to eat at Trademarket, a Wednesday to Sunday market filled with the best street food in the city.

After lunch, head to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, a beautiful stately home and castle that has been home to the Secretary of State since 1970.

Recommended tours: Belfast: Political Taxi Tour.

Day 3 – County Armagh

Start your day in Armagh City on a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide to uncover the secrets behind the city’s history and its most famous landmarks.

If you are a book-lover a visit to Robinson Library, one of the oldest in Ireland, should be on your list.

Archbishop Robinson opened the library in 1771 to share his vast collection of books with the residents of Armagh.

Learn more about the city at the Armagh County Museum which is filled with collections telling the stories of the city’s people, with everything from military uniforms to wedding dresses on display.

Day 4 – County Fermanagh

Begin your time in this breathtaking county at Enniskillen Castle, a castle set in Ireland’s only island town.

The castle has a 600 year old history and is home to two museums that share the castles story.

Continue uncovering the history of the area at Florencecourt, a Georgian National Trust property that makes for a pleasant afternoon of exploring its many summer houses, walled gardens and pleasure gardens.

If more adventurous activities are your preference, head out onto Lough Erne on a canoe or kayak, or let someone else take the strain on a cabin cruiser and admire the views.

Recommended tours: From Belfast: 3-Day Causeway Coast, Derry & Fermanagh Lakes.

Day 5 and 6 – County Derry

The city of Derry is perhaps one of the most historical in Northern Ireland and is filled with many important sites.

The surrounding county is also home to some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the country.

Begin your time in Derry by walking along the city walls, admiring the view and its remaining collection of cannons.

To learn more about Northern Ireland, the Troubles and Bloody Sunday, take a guided tour to understand the countries turbulent history and the reasons behind the partition of Ireland.

Take a stroll across the iconic Peace Bridge, a beautiful pedestrian bridge over the River Foyle, offering some great views over the city.

Fans of the show Derry Girls should check out the Derry Girls mural, or for a more immersive experience book onto a Derry Girls themed tour.

Round off your day with a drink in Peadar O’Donnell’s, a cosy and authentic pub that regularly hosts traditional live music.

Spend your second day exploring the wider county, beginning with Benone Strand.

Benone Strand is a beautiful 7 mile (11.27 kilometres) stretch of sandy beach that is perfect for a stroll regardless of the weather.

Another incredible landmark in Country Derry is Mussenden Temple, a round temple perched on a 120ft (36.58m) high cliff with dramatic views.

Day 7 – Causeway Coast

Continue exploring the beauty that Northern Ireland has to offer and spend a day on the Causeway Coast.

This is the ideal destination if you enjoy spending time outside hiking or on the water.

It is also the perfect place for fans of Game of Thrones, as many of the destinations of Westeros were filmed in the area.

Visit Slaver Bay and Renly’s Camp, both of which used the area around Murlough Bay, or brave Dark Hedges, used as Kingsroad.

Recommended tours: From Belfast: Causeway Express Tour Shore Excursion.

Day 8 – Portrush

Portrush is a buzzing and lively coastal town in Northern Ireland that is well-worth a visit during your 10 day trip.

If walking and hiking is a favourite pastime of yours walk from the harbour towards St Patrick’s Well in Portstewart along coastal trails with beautiful views over the beaches.

If the weather turns or you are travelling with children, a great thing to do in Portrush is a visit to the Portrush Coastal Zone, a small exhibition space with rock pools and aquariums filled with local marine life.

Recommended tours: From Portrush: Causeway Coast Half Day Tour.

Day 9 – Giant’s Causeway

No visit to Northern Ireland would be complete without a visit to the iconic Giant’s Causeway.

Giant’s Causeway is formed form approximately 40,000 basalt columns naturally formed into hexagons.

According to legend these unique stone formations were once part of a bridge that connected Northern Ireland to Scotland, built by the giant Finn McCool.

Recommended tours: From Belfast: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour.

Day 10 – County Antrim

County Antrim is a great destination to round off your 10 days in Northern Ireland.

Begin by exploring the 400 year old grounds of Antrim Castle, whose gardens are home to the Italian Tower, a pleasure garden and a spectacular pond overlooked by yew trees.

Explore one of the best-preserved castles in Northern Ireland at Carrickfergus Castle, a castle with more than 800 years of history.

Round off your trip to Northern Ireland by visiting Old Bushmill’s Distillery, the oldest distillery in Northern Ireland that is still making whisky today.

Book a guided tour to learn more about the whisky-making process before sampling some of their finest.

10-Day Ireland Itinerary

Day 1, 2 and 3 – Dublin

Spend three days in Dublin to fully appreciate and embrace this incredible city.

One of the best ways to begin in Dublin is on a sightseeing tour.

Whether you choose to take a bus tour or head out on a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide, you will see most of the city at a glimpse and learn some key facts about some of the most important destinations.

After your tour, spend some time exploring some of the destinations you passed by in more detail.

One of the most popular things to do in Dublin is paying a visit to Trinity College and its Long Room and Old Library.

Here you will find the Book of Kells, a beautiful illustrated copy of the New Testament dating from the 8th and 9th century.

The library itself is a book-lovers paradise, a beautiful dark wood room lined with floor to ceiling bookshelves and statues of famous patrons of the library.

Round off your first day with a drink at the famous Temple bar pub, being sure to order a Guinness.

Start your second day with a warming cup of hot chocolate from Butler’s Chocolate Cafe and enjoy strolling around Dublin’s streets.

Take a break from the crowded streets and visit St Steven’s Green, a city centre park with plenty of shady trees to rest under and green spaces to sprawl out with a picnic if the weather is warm.

Spend the afternoon at Dublin Castle, a 13th century fortress built atop a former Viking settlement.

The castle was in the hands of the British for centuries until it was finally given back to the Irish government in 1922.

The castle is filled with ornate paintings, beautiful artefacts and spectacular grounds.

Enjoy another Guinness at The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland.

The pub was founded in 1198, however the current building was built in 1754.

This cosy destination is perfect for unwinding after a busy day and enjoying a drink surrounded by locals, or a bite to eat of their delicious pub food.

Day 3 should be spent uncovering the history behind Dublin’s most famous export, Guinness.

Guinness Storehouse is the home of Guinness, and on a guided tour you will learn more about the process of making this famous drink and its history, as well as sampling a range of drinks and dishes.

Recommended tours: From Dublin: Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Galway City Day Tour.

Day 4 – Wicklow

After three days in the city, Wicklow is a welcome escape into nature.

Begin at the breathtaking Lough Tay, a lough overlooked by sprawling mountains and plenty of perfect viewpoints even from the road.

Explore it in more detail by taking a gentle hike around its perimeter.

Another excellent outdoor thing to do in Wicklow is the Ballinastoe Woods Walk, a gentle stroll through the beautiful woodlands with many different trails to follow.

There are also plenty of beautiful viewpoints across Guinness Lake from the woods.

Day 5 – Killarney

Start your day in Killarney at Ross Castle, a 100-year old castle with beautiful and tranquil grounds to explore that are filled with are plants.

If you have not had your fill of the outside, take a stroll through UNESCO World Heritage Site Killarney National Park.

Inside the park are hiking trails, mountain climbs, lakes and the beautiful Muckross House and Gardens.

Recommended tours: From Dublin: Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour.

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Day 6 – Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry spans a 180 kilometre (111.85 miles) ring around the region, and while not all could possibly be visited in one day, choosing an area or two of the Ring of Kerry to explore will not only give you a flavour of this region, but may even be the reason you come back.

One of the best places to visit within the Ring of Kerry is Rossbeigh Walk and Beach Overlook.

This beautiful stretch of sand and dunes offers great views over Dingle Peninsula and offers many short and relaxing walks along the coast, with more challenging ones leading you up the mountain.

Another beautiful destination in the Ring of Kerry is Sneem, a colourful town with many painted murals on its buildings.

Recommended tours: From Killarney: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Tour.

Day 7 – Dingle

Take a tour of Dingle Whisky Distillery to learn more about this local whisky and for some samples.

If the weather is favourable, head out onto the water of the harbour on a dolphin boat tour to try and catch a glimpse of Dingle’s most famous resident, Fungie the Dingle Dolphin.

Drive along Sea Head Drive, a 30 mile (48.28 kilometres) stretch of road running along cliff edges, by the water and running by beaches offering excellent views.

Take a break from the drive and stop off at Dunbeg Fort, an Iron Age fort with incredible views over the peninsular, as well as being home to many important archaeological sites.

Recommended tours: From Killarney: Day Trip to Dingle.

Day 8 – Galway

Known locally as the Cultural Capital of Ireland, Galway is a great city to visit on your 10-day trip.

It is filled with creatives including musicians and artists, and is considered the spiritual home of Irish music.

Here you will find many local pubs and event spaces with regular performances from traditional Irish singers and bands, especially during festivals.

Take the time to wander the streets of Galway in search of cool independent shops and cosy cafes to people watch from.

Learn more about Galway at one of its many museums, including the Claddagh Ring Museum, a museum dedicated to this famous piece of promise jewellery.

Recommended tours: From Galway: Aran Islands Day Trip & Cliffs of Moher Cruise.

Day 9 – Connemara

One of the best things to do in Connemara is to take a hike up Diamond Hill, a hill with a gentle incline making this hike perfect for families or those looking for something a little more gentle.

After your hike visit the paradise beach of Dog’s Bay, a beach with pristine white sands and bright blue waters, it is easy to mistake it for a tropical island.

Another great thing to do in Connemara is a visit to the 1868 castle of Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful home with stunning surroundings.

Mitchell Henry built the abbey for his wife, however when she died, a Neo-Gothic church was added to the grounds and it was transformed in to an abbey for Benedictine Nuns who still live in the castle today.

It is however open for tours with some rooms and all gardens accessible to the public.

Recommended tours: From Galway: Connemara and Cong Full-Day Tour.

Day 10 – Clare

Clare is a beautiful county in the Republic of Ireland that, like so much of the country, cannot truly be explored in a single day, however if this is all the time you have, here are some must-visit destinations.

Visit the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, a 14 kilometre (8.7 miles) stretch of rugged cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean that can easily be explored along its family-friendly walkways.

There are many incredible caves located along County Clare’s coastline including Aillwee Caves that featured in an episode of classic Irish comedy Father Ted, and Doolin Cave, where you can see the biggest stalactite in Europe.

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